February 24, 2025 | Personal Injury
Pain and suffering damages can be included in your compensation from a personal injury claim. The value of pain and suffering varies depending on the factors involved in the case. Because pain and suffering are subjective, the extent and value of the damages also vary greatly depending on the victim’s circumstances.
The average settlement for pain and suffering in Florida ranges from thousands to more than a million dollars. Consulting a personal injury lawyer is the best way to determine how much your pain and suffering settlement is worth.
What Is Included in a Pain and Suffering Settlement in Florida?
Pain and suffering include physical and emotional injuries and harm. Examples of pain and suffering damages include:
- Impairments and disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish and trauma
- Physical suffering and pain
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
It can be challenging to prove the extent of a person’s suffering and pain. Medical records and testimony from doctors can explain the injuries you sustained and how those injuries could cause pain and suffering. However, although two people may sustain the same injuries, their suffering may differ vastly.
Taking photographs of your injuries as you heal can help jurors “see” the severity of your injuries. Writing down the details of your recovery in a pain and suffering journal can help you remember details about your pain levels, emotional suffering, and tasks you could not perform.
Factors Impacting the Average Pain and Suffering Settlement
There is no standard method for calculating the value of pain and suffering settlements. The factors analyzed to calculate the value of pain and suffering include:
- The type of injuries you sustained
- The duration of your recovery period
- The medical procedures and treatment you received
- The extent of scarring, disfigurement, impairment, and disability caused by your injuries
- The restrictions your injuries place on your ability to perform tasks and participate in activities
- The impact your injuries have on your emotional well-being
- The physical pain and mental anguish caused by the accident, your injuries, and your recovery
- Your prognosis for long-term recovery
- The loss of your ability to enjoy life
- Whether you could be partially to blame for your injuries
- Your quality of life before the injury and now
Generally, catastrophic injuries and lifelong disabilities increase the value of pain and suffering recovery. These injuries have the potential to alter a person’s life significantly. On the other hand, a minor case of whiplash or a minor injury does not usually have the same impact.
Regardless of the severity of someone’s injury, they deserve fair compensation for their pain and suffering. Insurance companies often downplay pain and suffering damages. An adjuster may tell you that your injuries do not justify a higher settlement amount for pain and suffering.
Talk with a lawyer before accepting a settlement offer because you waive your right to file a lawsuit or pursue a claim after accepting a settlement.
Calculating the Value of Pain and Suffering Damages for a Personal Injury Claim in Florida
Personal injury calculators cannot interpret the factors that impact a person’s pain and suffering. Calculators cannot accurately measure how much a person suffers because of injuries. Therefore, using online pain and suffering calculators is unwise.
Instead, an experienced personal injury attorney analyzes the factors in your case. They may use the multiplier method which involves adding up all factors of your pain and suffering and multiplying the number to provide a result. Based on the factors in your case, a multiplier between 1.5 and five may be chosen to represent your pain and suffering.
All factors, in this case, impact the choice of a multiplier. A multiplier of five represents the highest level of pain and suffering. For instance, a spinal cord injury that results in paralysis could justify a multiplier of five.
However, a broken bone that stops a pro sports player’s career could also result in a multiplier of five.
Get Help With a Personal Injury Case in Florida
You deserve fair compensation for all damages. Call Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group to schedule a free consultation with our Vero Beach personal injury lawyers. We will review your case and advise you of your rights and legal options for an injury claim.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Florida
If you’ve been injured in an accident, please contact our experienced personal injury lawyers at Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group to schedule a free consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Florida, including Vero Beach, St. Petersburg, and Port St. Lucie.
Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group – Vero Beach
2651 20th St
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 758-1966
Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group – St. Petersburg
200 Central Ave Suite 304
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(772) 569-8155
Graves Thomas Rotunda Injury Law Group – Port St. Lucie
10805 SW Tradition Square Unit 024A
Port St. Lucie, FL 34987
(772) 677-0373
